Adjustable tube holder



April 26, 1966 M. VOLPE TADJUSTABLE TUBE HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 19s;

lnvenior MICHAEL VOLPE April 26, 1966 M. VOLPE 3,

ADJUSTABLE TUBE HOLDER Filed Oct. 23, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l 4 L w l O I 9 FL l4 9 6 7,2

7=\ hww fi 01:1:

O I a l 4 l FIG. 8

IO [2 l3 IO 4 1 '1 m 44W v 5 2 2/ 9 V? II FIG. 9

MICHAEL VOLPE Inventor United States Patent 3,248,120 ADJUSTABLE TUBE HOLDER Michael Volpe, 452-454 W. Broadway, New York, N.Y. Filed Oct. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 318,216 3' Claims. (Cl. 279-71) This invention relates to a means for holding and supporting collapsible tubes. More specifically, this invention relates to such means which are adjustable so as to be useable with collapsible tubes of diiferent diameters.

Collapsible tubes are widely used for dispensing pasty, viscous and liquid materials. The tube is conventionally supported in an inverted position by a holder and is conveyed to various stations for cleaning, filling and closing. The holders must be carefully designed in order to insure the proper alignment of the collapsible tube. Additionally, the holder must be constructed to prevent the denting of the tube while inserting or withdrawing it from the holder, and particularly during the closing operation when the circular diameter is altered to an oval shape. 'The apparatus required for holding these collapsible tubes. is costly and complex. See for example, US. Patent 2,574,157. This fact, plus the wide variety of tube sizes used, has created a need.for an adjustable tube holder.

In the prior art, only minor variations in tube size were provided for. For example, in US. Patent 2,342,337, flexible spring-like fingers to grip the collapsible tubes are shown. Small deviations in tube size are also provided in US. Patent 2,698,076 by means of a screw adjustment. The aforesaid features of these patents, however, are intended only to compensate for the slight variations of a collapsible tube within conventional manufacturing tolerances. In no sense do they serve to permit the use of thesame holder with distinctly different tube sizes.

. A further advantage of the instant invention is that, regardless of the system of measures used in manufacturing the collapsible tube, it maybe properly supported. If, because of economic or design considerations, it is desirable to import collapsible tubes, tubes which have dimensions based on the British imperial system or the metric system, no problem is presented and the necessity of obtaining a special setof tube holders eliminated.

In accordance with the instant invention a means is provided for supporting collapsible tubes which are of distinctly different dimensions. The adjustable tube holder -is of great advantage because the necessity for a multitude of different holders is eliminated. Since a typical commercial tube filling machine use s on the order of eight, twelve, sixteen, thirty-two or more'holders, the advantage of an adjustable holder becomes apparent.

In brief compass, the adjustable tube holder consists of a hollow cylindrical body portionhaving a plurality of guide means in the walls. Slides, capable of reciprocating in these guide means are provided, extend into the hollow area of'the tube body. The extended portions, or jaws, serve to support the collapsible tube. Means are further provided for positioning the jaws at an equal distance from the centerline of the tube holder so as to prevent misalignment of the tube in respect to the other parts of the filling machine when changing the holder from one size to the next.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a top view of the body of the tube holder.

FIGURE 2 represents a vertical cross-section of the tube holder.

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 show a side view in partial crosssection, front and top views, respectively, of the slide body.

FIGURE 6 and 7 show a bottom view and a vertical cross-section, respectively, of the control cap or shell.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a top view of the adjustable tube holder with the control cap removed.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical cross-section of the adjustable tube holder, while supporting a collapsible tube.

Turning first to FIGURES 1 and 2, the body 1 of the tube holder is a thick walled hollowed cylinder. A series of four radial T slots 2 are provided equidistantly spaced within the body wall. The longitudinal axis of these slots are radially positioned with respect to the center line of the body. The body 1 defines a hollow area 3, which is slightly larger in diameter than the largest-collapsible tube to be supported therein.

The slide body and ancillary parts are illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. Atfixed to the solid body 4 is a jaw 5. This jaw fits snugly against the vertical side of the collapsible tube when in the holder. At the lower portion of the jaw 5 is a shoulder 6 upon which the bot-' tom of the collapsible tube rests, thereby restricting downward vertical movement. The jaw 5 is held to the slide body 4 by means of shouldered screw 7. Springs 8 abut against the upper and lower portions so as to permit a small degree of flexibility. This arrangement prevents marring of the sides of the collapsible tube, without interfering'with the ability of the jaws to hold the tube securely in position. Additionally, denting of the tube is avoided when the circular cross-section is altered, when the tube is sealed. Each slide body 4 has a horizontal guide 9 which is adapted to engage the horizontal portion of the T slot 2. The slide body 4 has a width, as best shown in FIGURE 4, adapted to fit within the vertical portion of the T slot 2. Hence, the slide body 4 may be inserted into the T slots and 'reciprocated radially in the slot. Atop of the slide body 4 is located a control pin 10.

. Control cap or shell 11 is adapted to slide over the body 1. The hollow portion 12 is aligned with the hollow portion 3. In the top inner surface of the con-, trol shell 11 are located four arcuate control channels. These channels originate towards the outer diameter of the control shell and curve gradually inward towards the hollow opening 12. Each control channel 13 is adapted to receive a control pin 10.

In actual operation each of the slide bodies 4 are placed into the T slots so that the jaw portion 5 extends into the hollow area 3. The collapsible tube 14 rests against the jaws 5 and the shoulders 6. Each of the slide bodies are positioned so that the jaws 5 are equidistant from the center line of the body 1. Hence, the center line of the collapsible tube is substantially coincident to the center line of the body 1 of the tube holder. The slide bodies 4 are .held in position by-the control pins 10 interlocked with the control channels 13. By rotating the control shell 11 with respect to the body 1, slide 4 may be positioned a predetermined distance from the center line of the body. Clockwise rotation brings the jaws 5 closer together.- Once the desired position I is located the position of the control shell 11 is fixed in relationship to the body 1. This may be accomplished by any locking means known to those skilled in the art, such as by threading a set or shouldered screw (not shown) through the side of the control shell 11. ingthe screw against the body 1, movement is prevented. If desired, proper graduation may be placed on the body or the control shell, so as to permit the rapid positioning of the jaws 5. However, such markings are not essential: the jaws may be closed gradually about a collapsible tube, until the proper adjustment is achieved.

By tighten- The adjustable tube'holder must be designed to facilitate its insertion and removal from the tube filling machine. The lower portion of the body 1, which is a reduced diameter, may be inserted into a proper female opening in the tube fitting machine. See U.S. Patent 2,574,157 where the relationship of a tube holder to a filling machine is shown.

Though the tube holder is adjustable, it is generally desirable to use a few different size adjustable holders. For example, one set of adjustable tube holders may be suitable for supporting tubes from to /8" in diameter, another from 1" to 1%! and a third for tubes from 1 /8" to 2 A".

The above example and illustrations merely indicate a preferred embodiment of the instant invention. Many modifications fall within the scope of this invention. For example, the grooving in the tube body need not be in the form of a T slot. Any locking shape may be used such as I or L shape.

The control means employed for locking the position of the jaws is merely preferred, but not a necessary feature of the instant invention. For-example, each of the jaws may be positioned individually and provided with individual locking means. While this technique may. be cumbersome, it is intended that such procedure be included within the scope of the invention. While four jaws are shown in the illustration, three may be adequate in the case of small tubes. Preferably, no less than three jaws should be employed. Conversely, in the case of large size collapsible tubes the adjustable holder may be provided with six or even eight jaws.

The shoulder illustrated at the lower portion of each jaw is merely optional. Any means may be employed to limit the vertical movement of the collapsible tube. For example, a horizontal plate or ring may be affixed across the bottom of the hollow area 3. Such plate or ring could conveniently limit the vertical displacement of the tube by engaging the bottom, or alternatively, the cap; of the tube.. Means within the female opening of the tube fitting machine could also be adapted as would be obvious to those skilled in' the art.

While the instant invention is primarilyv intended for supporting collapsible tubes, it is apparent that it is readily adaptable for other types of containers, such as jars. Nor is it mandatory that the container be of a circular cross-section: regular polygonal cross-sections, e.g., square or octagonal, would not destroy the applicability of the tube holder.

The material of construction of the tube holder is of little importance. Preferably, however, a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel is employed. Other materials such as rigid plastics may be also advantageously adapted.

In view of the foregoing disclosures, variations and modifications thereof will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and it is intended to include within the invention all such variations and modifications except as do not come within the scope of the appended claims,

4- I claim: 1. An adjustable collapsible tube holder which comprises:

(1) A thick-walled cylindrical body whichdefines a hollow area having at least three radial grooves.

substantially equidistantly spaced therein; (2) An annular control cap adapted to slide over and fit atop of said slide body and having at least three control channels in the top inner surface thereof; (3), At leastthree slide bodies adapted to slide in each of said radial grooves, having a vertically projecting 1 control pin adapted to engage said control channels, and having yieldably mounted jaws thereon extending into said hollow area;

said control channels being so positioned as to locate said jaws an equal distance from the center line of said cylindrical body and adapted to reciprocate said slide bodies upon rotation of said control cap with respect to said cylindrical body; said jaws being vertically disposed and having an elongated face adapted to snugly, but slidably support a collapsible tube positioned vertically in said hollow area and at least one of said jaws having an inwardly. projecting shoulder substantially perpendicular face; control means for positioning said slides, while maintaining said jaws equidistant from the center line of said cylindrical hollow body.

3. The tube holder of claim 2 wherein said jaw is yieldably mounted on said slide by means of two compression springs and a centrally disposed shouldered screw rigidly affixed to said jaw and reciprocally movable within said slide.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 828,632 8/1906 Sprink 279-71 1,399,786 12/1921 Messenger 279-114 1,503,635 8/1924 Butler 279-114 1,799,019 3/1931 Mischler 279-123 2,445,147 7/1948 Meunier 27971 3,020,058 2/1962 Feldman 279123 LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner. ROBERT C. RIORDON, Examiner.

H. V. STAHLHUTH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TUBE HOLDER WHICH COMPRISES: (1) A THICK-WALLED CYLINDRICAL BODY WHICH DEFINES A HOLLOW AREA HAVING AT LEAST THREE RADIAL GROOVES SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIDISTANTLY SPACED THEREIN; (2) AN ANNULAR CONTROL CAP ADAPTED TO SLIDE OVER AND FIT ATOP OF SAID SLIDE BODY AND HAVING AT LEAST THREE CONTROL CHANNELS IN THE TOP INNER SURFACE THEREOF; (3) AT LEAST THREE SLIDE BODIES ADAPTED TO SLIDE IN EACH OF SAID RADIAL GROOVES, HAVING A VERTICALLY PROJECTING CONTROL PIN ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID CONTROL CHANNELS, AND HAVING YIELDABLY MOUNTED JAWS THEREON EXTENDING INTO SAID HOLLOW AREA; SAID CONTROL CHANNELS BEING SO POSITIONED SO TO LOCATE SAID JAWS AN EQUAL DISTANCE FROM THE CENTER LINE OF SAID CYLINDRICAL BODY AND ADAPTED TO RECIPROCATE SAID SLIDE BODIES UPON ROTATION OF SAID CONTROL CAP WITH RESPECT TO SAID CYLINDRICAL BODY; SAID JAWS BEING VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND HAVING AN ELONGATED FACE ADAPTED TO SNUGLY, BUT SLIDABLY SUPPORT A COLLAPSIBLE TUBE POSITIONED VERTICALLY IN SAID HOLLOW AREA AND AT LEAST ONE OF SAID JAWS HAVING AN INWARDLY PROJECTING SHOULDER SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID JAW. 